Durga Puja begins on the sixth day of Navratri and is not just a simple festival rather an elaborate occasion for which the preparations begin months in advance. It is observed in the month of Ashvin as per the Hindu calendar, which according to the Gregorian calendar falls during September-October.
Maha Ashtami is the most important day of the Durga Puja festival. The day begins with pushpanjali and aarti in Durga Puja pandals. In many households, the day is celebrated with much fervour. There are many who perform Kumari Puja. However, the day’s highlight is the sandhi puja, which is done when the Ashtami tithi ends. It is believed that during this time, Devi Chamunda (an avatar of Goddess Durga) appears to slay demons — Chanda and Munda.
According to Drikpanchang.com, the timings are as follows:
Ashtami Puja date and time:
Ashtami Date: October 6
Ashtami Tithi Begins – 09:51 am on Oct 05, 2019
Ashtami Tithi Ends – 10:54 AM on Oct 06, 2019
Sandhi Puja Muhurat – 10:30 AM to 11:18 AM
